I have been extended an invite to the local hunt (Traders Point) so I’d like to know more about hilltopping. Does it ever include jumping? Is hilltopping attire as formal as first flight? Can you hilltop in a dressage saddle? Will it be fast?
Hilltoppers wear the same attire as the other fields. I don’t see why you couldn’t hilltop in a dressage saddle, to start with.
You may want to shorten your stirrups a little but you can certainly hilltop in a dressage saddle. The speed depends on the hunt. Some hunts the hilltoppers go quite fast, just don’t jump. Other hunts the hilltopper field is actually a slower field.
[QUOTE=enjoytheride;3566542]
I have been extended an invite to the local hunt (Traders Point) so I’d like to know more about hilltopping. Does it ever include jumping? Is hilltopping attire as formal as first flight? Can you hilltop in a dressage saddle? Will it be fast?[/QUOTE]
in reverse order;
will it be fast ? check with your host and/or talk to the secretary or field leader. This varies alot. Some hunts, HT’ers is intentionally much slower, ie not too much cantering, or canter but no gallop, and in some, its just as fast as first field, just no jumping.
dressage saddle. ummm, no. but again, rules for guests are pretty bendable alot of places, just ask. in my experience, we want guests to come hunt, have a great time, get just as addicted as the rest of us, and THEN start getting the gear 
HT attire is the same as first flight, but again, guests get some leeway.every hunt is a bit different, pays to ask. fox hunting is NOT about the attire, but, the attire is a way to pay respect to the tradition, the hounds, the staff and the landowners.
HT’ers sometimes jump a bit, but I expect its always optional, and the typical reason to have a HT group is to have a non-jumping field, expect for hopping over logs in the trail. Be sure to check with the field leader as its a big no-no to lark over jumps if its not part of the plan.
have a GREAT TIME and do report back! :D:D:D:D:D
Thanks, I have a jumping saddle but a friend asked about riding in her dressage saddle since she’d feel more secure.
What do I need to wear and what does my horse need to wear (I jump in a standing martingale)? Should I consider bitting up? What happens if my horse gets upset and acts up? How long will we be out? How fit do we have to be to hilltop? Are hunts as formal as they say?
It would probably be smart to check with secretary on things like attire.
I’ve not hunted yet…but was invited on one and looked into one at another club. Each have slightly different requirements.
In doing my research (like you) I found that some will allow you to show up in jeans and half chaps…some in a Western saddle…some require quite formal gear and there’s everything in between.
So I would spare yourself the anxiety (because that’s how I felt–didn’t want to commit some major faux pas) and call the secretary who can give you all the details pertaining to THIS hunt. Everyone we’ve talked to has been REALLY nice and helpful.
Does the hunt you are planning to cap with have a website? That may be helpful.
Most hunts do have a dress code but, as was stated earlier, some flexability is usually extended to newcomers.
The hunt secretary will have the answers you seek.
I know a few folks that have ridden out in a dressage saddle and I wouldn’t think it’s an issue if you are riding in the hilltoppers as they won’t be jumping or jumps will be optional.
It’s a little hard to predict the pace they will be setting but the secretary can give you an idea. It often depends on the game and territory they hunt that particular day. Most fieldmasters have their own rate of speed and the secretary can probably give you an idea of how their hunt’s hilltop group generally rides. You and your mount should be comfortable at the walk, trot, and canter in a large group of horses.
The length the hunt will stay out often depends on the season. Are they still cubbing or have they started their formal season? All hunts are different but usually during formal season they will stay out longer than if they are still cubbing.
If you have trouble with your horse it’s usually exceptable to ask your fieldmaster to retire early. They may partner you up with another member of the hunt so you can be assisted back to the trailer if you so need.
With regard to “bitting up” it may be advisable. You may find your horse enjoying him/herself a great deal out hunting. A lot of riders find they don’t have as much stop as they would like when their horse is enjoying the thrill of the hunt. You would be the best judge of how your horse might react in the wide open spaces with a crowd of frisky friends.
Have fun!:winkgrin:
The website is here
http://www.traderspointhunt.com/
I plan on asking my friend lots of questions but I always like to know everything I can ahead of time and have lots of different experience points! Is it best to go out every week to get used to it or can I go once a month or a few times a month? Do not all hunts have hilltopping? Are drag hunts faster then hunts with foxes? How long do I need to be invited before I become a member? When I’m a member how does what I wear and do change?
[QUOTE=enjoytheride;3569197]
I plan on asking my friend lots of questions but I always like to know everything I can ahead of time and have lots of different experience points! Is it best to go out every week to get used to it or can I go once a month or a few times a month? Do not all hunts have hilltopping? Are drag hunts faster then hunts with foxes? How long do I need to be invited before I become a member? When I’m a member how does what I wear and do change?[/QUOTE]
The more often you hunt, the more quickly you will learn the ropes and find out how your horse takes to it. you cant tell after just a couple of times. Also, the length of hunts sometimes progresses with the season as people and their horses get more fit, so that is where the once a month can be a problem. Most hunts do have hilltopping, but again, it varies. Some hunts dont have hilltoppers at every meet. Drag hunts can be very fast; not as much waiting for the hounds to hit and once they do, if they are good, they might just scream along for the rest of the piece. Becoming a member varies from hunt to hunt. keep in mind that being a member is not just showing up to ride. We clear trails and fix fences, work to keep good relations with land-owners, help with the Master’s horses, volunteer at hunter paces and hunter trials, put on teas, walk hounds, etc. Getting involved in some of these as a potential member is a great way to demonstrate some enthusiasm and get to know people in the hunt. When you are a member, you usually get to move up in the field, ahead of guests. It doesnt change what you wear, except that I know we cut guests alot of slack for attire and then expect members to wear what is proscribed in our courtesies.
OK, after the 100 questions, have you gone out yet and how was it ? 
No, I am not going to go out. Although my friend was encouraging and honest about what I could expect and if my horse would do well I talked to a few other people that hunt and got a clear impression that I would not be welcome. So it looks like hunting is not for me
No I have not gone out, although the two friends I have invited me and were pretty clear about what to expect I got some… not nice responses to my questions from a few other hunt members and I have decided to pass since I don’t deal well with not everyone being welcoming. Perhaps another time.
No I have not gone out. The people that invited me were very welcoming, open, and honest about what to expect, but a few other memebers I met were not so enthusiastic, so I have decided to take a pass until I’m %100 sure my horse and I would be a welcome fixture.
good advise so far
as to “jumping” and what is expected of hill toppers
for our hunt you would be expected to cross small downed trees [think of cross rails] detour from the trail arround larger ones, cross small ditches, cross some good size creeks [1 to 2 feet of water] and maintain control keeping the horse between you and the ground in all 3 gears.
[QUOTE=enjoytheride;3602556]
No I have not gone out. The people that invited me were very welcoming, open, and honest about what to expect, but a few other memebers I met were not so enthusiastic, so I have decided to take a pass until I’m %100 sure my horse and I would be a welcome fixture.[/QUOTE]
I’d believe the inviters, and let the others stew: life’s too short to worry about whether the world wants you to hunt or not!
You’ll have so much fun, you’ll forget about them anyway.
Road Hounds First
I suggest that when you contact the Hunt Secretary you ask if they are roading hounds each week as well as hunting. If you were given permission to join the Staff in roading hounds it would be a wonderful opportunity for you and your horse to get some experience without the full blown dose that comes with this first hunt or two.
Hotspur
Metamora Hunt
I’m a member of TPH…just joined last year. the hill topping is pretty slow and easy, and they usually have a course that involves no jumps. i’ve been hunting my 4 year old mare (greenie) and my off the track tb. in the past, i had a paint that never hunted that i rode while a guest. don’t worry about it. i’ve only heard of one fixture that is totally nuts, but everything else is pretty good. i just rode and didn’t worry what others thought…just did my best to learn the rules. if you think you can control your horse, then you should be fine. don’t worry. as i said before, the hill topping is pretty easy and many times does not follow the first flight to insure that there are no jumps…so i’d say come one out!
enjoytheride
I am the Hunt Secretary for TPH. I am sorry that you weren’t warmly recieved as a potential Hilltopper. Please IM so that we can discuss your coming out with us.
